"The designation does provide us an outline on a map that says these are the areas of greatest interest," says Underwood.

A large portion of the critical habitats are not in federally protected areas.

"Land ownership of the proposed terrestrial critical habitat consists of 19% in federal ownership, 21% in state ownership, and 60% in private and local government ownership," says the agencies sea turtle coordinator Sandy MacPherson.

The report identified key threats to the species include artificial lighting, beach erosion and climate change.